If you were worried club football wasn’t going to live up to much after the enthralling World Cup final, Manchester City and Liverpool alleviate those worries tonight. The two giants of English football played out a thriller, which saw City come out 3-2 winners and progress to the last eight of the Carabao Cup.
It was a stunning encounter that saw the very best of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland, and the worst of Darwin Nunez. Haaland opened the scoring and KDB was influential throughout, as he bagged two assists, including the one for the winning goal. Meanwhile, the Uruguayan, who had a disappointing World Cup missed three key chances as Liverpool failed to capitalise on some good play.
It was a game that summed up the start to life for both of these big money strikers in the Premier League. As Haaland has flourished at Manchester City, breaking all sorts of goalscoring records in his first few games, Nunez has struggled at Anfield. Tonight was a 90 minute play of the first few months of the season, played out on the Etihad pitch.
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As the modern rivalry played out in the Carabao Cup with a few fringe players on show, KDB returned to form in sky blue. He struggled in Qatar with Belgium as his country crashed out at the group stage, At the Etihad though, he pulled all the strings, playing in an absolutely stunning ball as Nathan Ake headed home what would be the winning goal.
He looked weighed down while with his nation but for Pep Guardiola, he once again pulled all the strings. His first involvement saw him team up with Haaland once again, as he whipped in a left-footed cross that left Joe Gomez standing as the Norwegian, fresh from his break, met it first and turned the ball home with his left foot.
When City were completely dominant with the crowd onside, Liverpool suddenly came back into it and bagged an equaliser. Matip played a forward ball into James Milner in the box and he picked out Fabio Carvalho who slotted the ball in calmly. He’s been a superb signing since joining from Fulham and is now set to fill the void Luis Diaz’s injury has left on that side of the pitch.
De Bruyne was then played in down the right channel and found Ilkay Gundogan who could only place his shot at the legs of Caoimhín Kelleher. Then Ake’s header was pushed wide after another ridiculous cross from KDB. His World Cup hangover had clearly been shaken off and he looked delighted to be back playing in Manchester, as he produced some spectacular passes.
Then, the Nunez show began. He pulled one wide before missing another chance from an Andy Robertson free-kick. He simply couldn’t get going in front of goal, even if he made some clever runs throughout.
At the start of the second half, Rodri played a diagonal ball to Riyad Mahrez, who majestically brought the ball inside with his left foot, before curling the ball into the far corner. It was a moment that showed just how good the Algerian can be, but moments later, Liverpool were level again.
Nunez showed exceptional pace down the left-hand side to get in behind and then when he could have shot, he pulled the ball back for Mo Salah to tap into an empty net. It was a miraculous response from Jurgen Klopp’s men that showed their reliance, as Salah found the net on his return to club football.
Before the hour mark, City were back in front. Ake, who missed that chance in the first half, this time steered his header in from another wonderful De Bruyne cross. Then, in Liverpool’s best remaining chance, Nunez was played in again on the right but yet again he pulled the shot wide. There was clearly a growing sense of frustration all around the away end as he wasted another chance and Liverpool crashed out of the competition.
For City their progression continues, as they look to win their fifth Carabao Cup in six years.
